Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 20 Nov 1996

Vol. 471 No. 7

Written Answers. - Treatment of Paedophiles.

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

173 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Health the facilities, if any, his Department is aware of for the treatment and rehabilitation of persons who have been convicted of offences involving paedophilia; whether new services are being developed, particularly in the Dublin/Eastern Health Board area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21928/96]

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Mr. Currie)

The provision of such services is primarily a matter for the Department of Justice. However, I am aware that the Northside Inter-Agency Project c/o Child Guidance Clinic, Mater Hospital, provides a treatment service for young adolescent sexual offenders. I understand this project, a joint venture between clinical staff of the Children's Hospital, Temple Street, the Mater Child Guidance Clinic and the Eastern Health Board, adopts a rehabilitative group therapy approach.

An out-patient sexual abuse treatment programme based at the Central Mental Hospital, Dundrum has been operating since 1989 under the directorship of Dr. Art O'Connor, consultant forensic psychiatrist. A majority of those receiving treatment have been charged with sexual abuse offences, including paedophilia, and are awaiting trial. A minority have identified themselves as having a problem, are receiving treatment but have not been charged with sexual abuse offences. The treatment programme is being extended to include a group therapy provision for young offenders.

Those tried and convicted of sexual abuse offences enter the Arbour Hill prison regime which is administered by the Department of Justice.